WHERE TO STAY. Let’s begin at the beginning! We have booked our trip to Barcelona, we know what we want to see, and now we need to find where to stay. If you can be a little picky (like me), then these options are gonna be right up your street. Staying in teh perfect place, be it a hostel or a palace, it makes a HUGE difference to your overall experience!

I stayed with 2 amazing hotels that I cant recommend enough but for different reasons, this goes double if it’s your first time in the city and you want to discover as much of it as possible! For those who just want to drink and tan, I have another option for coming up (I totally get you, but I can’t help myself as the pocket rocket I am and with a strong FOMO), so here are two for the wanderers! The first one is exquisite Renaissance Barcelona.

The Rennaissance Barcelona is located just 2 blocks away from Casa Batllo and the main shopping and architectural centre of Barcelona, so it is perfectly poised as our base to explore everyting the city has to offer. It almost magicly marries the cosy comfort we all crave with the posh plushness we all enjoy in true 5-star surroundings. The gorgeous spacious rooms, incredible views, and a sensationaly snazzy rooftop (just check the pics below, I was completely wowed!). It’s also brilliant for those doing business in the city as it has a plethora of business-oriented areas and the whole atmosphere is clean, cool, and minimal. The breakfast buffet was simply splendid, it’s hard to follow any diet unless its based on everything being delicious hence my clothes not fitting after this trip! The service made us feel like royalty, especially the concierge who made her best effort to accomodate all our requests and was ridiculously helpful giving us those unique and special tips only a local connoiseur can give.

There is a really cool old-school Spanish tradition I may adopt! It’s called ‘La Hora del Vermut’ (The hour of vermouth). The go-to Spanish drink, vermouth and ‘la hora del vermut’ are normally taken around 3pm, and traditionally made from a bar tap with and orange slice and green olive garnish. As gastronomical as Barcelona is, there is a rich tradition of bar food which obviously includes delicious Spanish tapas. With exemplary examples at the Renaissance enhanced by the breathtaking views over the city, yup, we could all get used to living like this!

The next hotel on my insiders guide is the Majestic Hotel, rareley is a name so apt. This is a truly luxurious hotel in the best traditions of the industry, (a bit more pricey but oh so worth it), but with a very modern touch. There is no way you won’t feel like a princess (or Prince), as as soon as you walk into the opulent surroundings, whilst the pianist plays your tune from the bar. Service is the very highest standard, the rooms a dream, the breakfast OMG delicious (they have the pastry chefs make eclairs for breakfast, reason enough to fall in love with this place!) and again the views are outstanding.

We stayed at Majestic Hotel for only for a couple days as we were on a whirlwind tour travelling to Ibiza straight after, so sadly we didn’t get a chance to visit the terrace which is meant to be very special indeed. Here is a warning for all fashionistas: Majestic Hotel is literally next to Chanel and many other luxury fashion boutiques, so beware as you might find yourself getting lost in these hallowed halls… I may or may not have been tempted, you will just have to keep following to see!

Casa Batllo. If you haven’t been inside this architectural masterpiece, you’re missing out A LOT! One of Gaudi’s most famous creations in Barcelona this is absolutely incredible, but I don’t want to be a spoiler so you’re gonna have to trust me and just go and be inspired by this place yourself 😉

Go out partying. Be it Pacha, Opium or any of the number of big clubs and bars near the beach, nightlife in Barcelona is pretty gosh darn fun! Get there (spanish) early meaning any time after 12 but before 2am if you want to miss the queue and get in for free.

Walk, walk, walk, walk, walk. All around the city and the whole rambla. There is so much gorgeous architecture around you, plus the shopping is fab. You will see the alfresco dinning culture in very cute restaurants and bars. Stop by famous, delicious and authentic La Boqueria market and grab a bite or two. I guarantee you will love the experience.

Sagrada Familia. I had gone to Sagrada Familia just 15 short years ago (when did 15 years go by?!) and remembered I was like meh. But that’s because back then it reaaaally was just facade and inside a building site. Today it’s tantalisingly close to being finished and a true architectural masterpiece (that requires a lot less imagination!) with a mix of classic and neo-modern architecture (especially the off the wall religious references which are far from what you may be used to seeing at other religious tourist spots!). I will show you more on my next YouTube video so dont miss it!

Where to eat. The food in Barcelona is INCREDIBLE. Whatever your budget, its hard to find a bad meal with fresh beautiful produce on every corner and in every restuarant window. I’m so hungry right now just remebering the tastes and smells of this delectible destination! Here are a just a sprinkling of my fav spots which I’m sure you’ll enjoy!

El Beso y la Lluna. Located in the Gothic town of Barcelona, two of my closest friends recommended we try the paella here -they were so right! Juicy, rich, almost creamy in texture and bursting with flavour and fresh produce. This relaxed restaurant serves one of the best paellas I have been lucky enough to sample. We also had the beef which will bowl you over. This one won’t break the bank and is just a really lovely restaurant.

Go to a restaurant from El Barri.You simply can’t call yourself a lover of great food if you go to Barcelona and don’t try one of El Barri’s restaurants. 6 restaurants, from the gourmet and luxurious to the relaxed and amazing, by Albert Adria and his brother Ferran Adria (widely accepted as the best chef in the world and pretty well known as the head of the gastronomic laboratory that was the now sadly closed El Bulli). Even though there will always be a hole in my heart (and stomach) for not being able to visit El Bulli when it was still open to mere mortals, going to one of El Barri’s restaurants is quite the consolation. I wanted to visit Ticketsbut as usual it was fully booked…three months in advance; however, a very close second on my list the incredible Ninno Viejo was able to squeeze us in! Their Spanish take on Mexican food and tradition will blow you away. We, of course, had the tasting menu which was super great value especially when you consider the pedigree and quality of the food, service, and the fab environment!

Ninno Viejo (old child) is inspired by the traditional Mexican ‘Taqueria’, the protagonists of the evening together with the delicious hit of spice and washed along with endless tequila cocktails. Every single dish was delicious, my faves being the fish tacos and guacamole.

W Hotel. This is as much a where to drink as a where to stay and what to do location. Located on Barceloneta Beach, watching the sunset while sipping some Sangria is hard to describe as anything other than pretty sweet. Make sure to head there after 6pm as otherwise the rooftop may not quite be open yet. This is also a brilliant location to stay at if you’re looking for a very cool and very chilled beachy trip.

Barcelona was so much fun and a city I can’t wait to revisit! Im already looking forward to returning in August for one of my bestie’s wedding celebrations (Zeynab from @fashion_pirate) and I’m so excited! What are your recmendations for this amazing city? Where did you go what did you love? Please leave a comment below, all tips are welcome and maybe even get a shout out in the next post! Lots of love xoxo

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